Roller carrier for curtains and the like



July 10, 1956 J. F. GROSH 2,753,588

ROLLER CARRIER FOR CURTAINS AND THE LIKE Filed May 18, 1953 E 4 l A A 4 III/I/III/I/IAmAWIIIIII/IIVIII IN VEN TOR.

time I: 6205,

m fiz/ ROLLER CARRIER FOR CURTAINS AND THE LIKE Jack 1F. Grosh, La Cresenta, Califl, assignor to R. L. Grosh & Sons Scenic Studios, Hollywood, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 18, 1953, Serial No. 355,734

Claims. (Cl. 16-95) This invention relates to improved hangers for movably supporting theatre stage curtains, draw drapes, and the like from overhead track structures.

It is customary to support draw curtains and drapes by means of a series of rollered hangers or suspension units, which are connected to spaced portions of the suspended curtain, and ride along an overhead track during opening and closing of the curtain. A major object of the present invention is to provide an improved hanger for this purpose, which is especially constructed to assure maintenance of a proper alined relationship between successive hangers, particularly in the open condition of the curtain when the hangers are moved into direct engagement one with the other. For assuring proper relative positioning of the hangers in this open position, the hangers are desirably provided with interfitting means which are adapted to interengage in a manner automatically properly alining adjacent hangers. These interfitting means may comprise projections and recesses at opposite ends of the individual hangers, the projection on one hanger being receivable within the recess of an adjacent hanger.

For best results, one of the interfitting positioning elements presents a wedge surface which acts to relatively deflect two adjacent hangers as they move into engagement, to displace the hangers into the desired alined positions from positions which may be somewhat out of alinement. This wedge surface may be formed very simply by merely shaping the previously mentioned projection of a tapered or conical configuration.

An additional object of the invention is to so form the hangers as to substantially silence their movements within the guide track. This results is achieved in part by providing bumpers on the hangers which cushion the engagement between adjacent hangers upon closing of the curtain. For maximum simplicity, these bumpers act also as the previously mentioned positioning elements, and therefore may comprise tapered projections, about the tapered portions of which may be formed transverse cushioning shoulders for abutting against shoulders on adjacent hanger bodies upon closing of the curtain.

The hangers may be retained against lateral movements by one or a pair of guides located beneath the track at a side of the hanger, these guides preferably comprising merely depending portions of the track structure itself. To further assure silence of operation of the hangers, I may provide the hangers with silencing cushions at their points of engagement with these guides. Also, the track riding rollers of the hangers may have silencing tires formed of rubber or the like for engaging the track surfaces.

The above and other features and objects of the present invention will be better understood from the following de tailed description of the typical embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a curtain system constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through one of the tracks nited States Patent 0 and contained curtain suspending units of Fig. 1, and taken on line 22 of that figure;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the suspension unit shown in Fig. 2, and taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the suspension unit which supports the leading edge portion of the curtain; and

Fig. 5 is a view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

I have shown in Fig. l a pair of draw curtains or drapes 10, which may typically be considered as stage curtains for a theater. Curtains 10 are supported for relative opening and closing movement by a pair of horizontal overhead tracks 11, which may be attached to a ceiling or overhead support 12, and whose inner ends extend into longitudinally overlapping relation, as shown. Each of the curtains 10 is suspended from one of the tracks 11 by a series of identical track riding suspension units 13, and an inner or leading suspension unit 14 connected to the inner edge portion of the curtain. The two curtains are opened and closed by means of a flexible cable or cables 15, connected to suspension units 14.

Tracks 11 are preferably formed of rigid sheet metal, and have the sectional configuration shown in Fig. 2. More specifically, the sheet metal of each track may form an upper horizontal wall 16, a pair of vertical side walls 17, two inwardly extending horizontal bottom walls or track surfaces 18, and a pair of downwardly projecting horizontally spaced guide walls 19. The track structure is stationarily attached to an overhead support 12 in any suitable manner, as for instance by a number of suspension brackets 20 extending about the tracks and positioned to support 12 by bolts 120. Extending across their inner or overlapped ends, each of the track structures 11 is closed by an end wall 21, which may typically comprise down turned end portions of top walls 16 of the track structures.

As best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, each of the curtain suspension units 13 includes a rigid body 22, typically formed of metal, having an externally essentially cylindrical transverse portion within which a transverse shaft 23 is journalled. This shaft carries at its opposite ends a pair of rollers 24, having tires 25 formed of rubber or other deformable and preferably resilient material. The two rollers 24 roll along track surfaces 18 of the track structure as the curtains are opened or closed.

Projecting from the transverse shaft containing portion of body 22, the body has a pair of externally cylindrical alined portions 26, extending in opposite directions longitudinally of the track, and containing a pair of axially alined oppositely facing cylindrical recesses 27. About each of these recesses, the body forms a transversely extending annular shoulder or end surface 28. Connected into one of the end recesses 27 is positioning and cushion element 29, which is preferably formed of a material more deformable than the body. The material of cushion 29 may be resilient, and desirably is a resiliently deformable rubber. Cushion 29 has a cylindrical portion 30 received in one of the recesses 27, and outwardly of its cylindrical portion has an annular transverse flange 31 bearing against the adjacent body surface 23. At its outer side, flange 31 presents a transverse annular shoulder or surface 32, beyond which the cushion tapers progressively and desirably conically from a diameter corresponding substantially to that of recesses 27, to a reduced dimension outer blunt and rounded end.

Depending beneath its cylindrical portions 26, each of the bodies 22 has a plate-like essentially flat portion 33, which projects downwardly through the bottom opening of the track structure, and carries at its lower end a chain 34, to be suitably attached to curtain 10, as by a pin 35. Each side of this plate-like portion 33 of the suspension body carries a cushion 36, which slidably engages one of the depending guide portions 19 of the track structure,

in a manner limiting lateral swinging of the body, and silencing engagement of the body with portions 19 of the track structure during opening and closing of the curtains. Cushions 36 are formed ,of some material which is capable of sliding along metal guides 19 more silently than would the material of body 22 .if it directly engaged those guides. Preferably this cushion material is more deformable than the material of body 22 or guides 19, and it desirably is resilient. One highly desirable material for making cushions 36 is felt, which should have a planarsurface engaging guides 19, and which may typically be rectangular and horizontally elongated in shape. Cushions 36 are desirably mounted to body 22 by reception in rectangular recesses 37 formedinthe sides of the body.

Each of the inner suspension units 14 for supporting the inner edge portions ofthe curtains comprises essentialy two ,of the smaller suspension units 13 connected together. More specifically (see Fig. 4) each of the inner suspension units includes a pair of suspension bodies 22a'constructed essentially the same as body .22 of units 13, and each carrying a pair of track engagingrollers24a. The two bodies 22a are rigidly-interconnected by a pipe or rod 136, whose ends are connected into two of the end recesses 27a of the bodies. At its innermost end, unit'14 carriesa bumper or cushion element 129, typically of resilient rubber, and constructed the same as cushions 29 except that its end is flat instead of tapering. These cushions 129engage end walls 21 of the tracks in the innermost or closed positions of the curtains. At its second end, each unit 14 carries a tapered resilient and preferably rubberbumper or cushion 29a corresponding to bumpers 29 of the suspension units 13. The depending portions 33a of bodies 22a carry cushions 36a corresponding to the previously described cushions36, and are attached to the curtain by chains 34a. Actuating cable is connected to the leading or inner suspension unit 14 in any suitable manner, as for instance by a pair of straps or U-bolts -37 connected into the depending portions 33a of bodies22a. These U-bolts may be tightenable against the cable by nuts 38 connected to the ends of the bolts.

The curtains shown in Fig. l are opened and closed in conventional manner, by pulling the cable or cables 15 to actuate inner suspension units 14 either in an opening or closing direction as desired. Upon opening the curtains, the initial openingmovement of suspension unit 14 causes it to engage the adjacent one of the units 13, which subsequently moves into engagement with the next successiveunit 13, etc., until all ofthe suspension units have been moved into-abuttingengagement and are located at the side of the curtained area. When eachof the suspension units moves into engagement with the next successive unit, the engagement is silent because of the presence of bumpers or cushions-29. .These-bumpersalso servethe second function of maintaining the suspension unit bodies in properly alined positions, .by reception of the'tapered end of each bumper -29. within'theopposed recess 27, of an adjacent suspension unit body. As will be understood,'the tapered surface of element -29. acts. as awedge surface, for relatively deflecting two adjacent suspension unit bodies into alined positions, from positions which'may be slightly out of alinement. Movement of two suspension units together is limited by engagement of one of the end shoulders 28 onone. of the units-with the correspondinglydimensioned annular surface 32' on one of the elements.

On opening the curtains the inner suspension ,units 14 are actuated'inwardly, and .act through curtains, 10 to pull'the other suspension ,units 13in curtainfclosing directions. When units .13 aresrthus actuated byiforceexerted through-curtains 10, there is aitendency'to swing the units 13 slightly :about the axes.- of their rollers. -In=order, that suchv slight swinging amovement cannot [.possibly cause elements -29. to swing upwardlyiinto engagement withtop man 5316 EOfL heLi 'aC str ctur -,w hese e eme tszfllarep erably carried at the outer ends of bodies 22. That is, elements 29 face in the direction in which the curtains move when being opened. As a result, if units 13 swing at all about their roller axes during opening of the curtain, they will swing in a direction deflecting elements 29 downwardly and away from, rather than upwardly toward the top wall of the track structure.

During penin an l n mov m o thec s, bodies 22 and 22a of the suspension units are laterally confined by depending guide portions 19 of the track structure. The engagement of the support units with these guides is silenced by reason of the presence of side cushions 36 and 36a on the support units which engage the guides.

I claim:

1. Curtain supporting apparatus comprising a track, a series of hangers each including rollers riding on said track and a body carried by the rollers and adapted for attachment to a portion of a curtain, and positioning means on said bodies movable into and out of interfitting engagement by relative movement of said units together and apart, said positioning means acting when in said interfitting engagement to rnaintain said bodies of adjacent units essentially in predetermined relative positions, said positioning means including means forming recesses at first ends of said bodies and tapering projections at opposite ends of the bodies movable into said recesses.

2. Curtain supporting apparatus as recited in claim 1, including a resilient cushion carried by each of said bodies forming said tapering projections andpresentingresilient transversely extending shoulders about said projections, said bodies forming second shoulders about said recesses each engageable with said resilient shoulder on the cushion carried by an adjacent body.

.3. A movable track riding curtain hanger comprising a body adapted to be attached to and suspend a portionof acurtain, rollermeansattached to said body and adapted to engage and ride along a track to movably support said body and curtain, and positioning means on said body adapted to .move into and out of interfitting relation with similar positioning means on a pair of adjacent similarly shaped bodies when. a series .of said bodies and roller means are supported by said track, said positioning means of. adjacentbodies when in said interfitting relation acting to maintain said adjacent .bodies essentially in predetermined relative positions, said positioning means including a cushion formed of a material softer than said body and movable into interfitting engagement with an adjacent body asthe two bodies are moved relatively together.

4. A movable track riding curtain hanger comprising a body adapted to be attached to and suspend aportionof a curtain, roller means attached to said body and adapted to engage and ride along a track to movably support said body and curtain, a cushion formed of softer material than said body and carried by the body at alocation to laterally engage a guide element extending parallel to the track and thereby limit lateral movement of the. body relative to the track, and positioning means on said body adapted to move into and out of interfitting rela tion with similar positioning means on a pair of adjacent similarly shaped bodies when a series of said bodies and roller means are supported by said track, said positioning means of adjacent bodies when in said interfitting relation acting to maintain the bodies against swinging movement about the axes of their roller means, said roller means of each body including a pair of axially alined rollers carried at opposite sides of the body, there being two. of said cushions carried at opposite sides ofthebody for engaging a pair of said guides, said positioning means including a recess formed at one end of said body and having a transverse annular shoulder disposed thereabout, .and .an additional resilient cushion carried at .an opposite end ,ofthebody. having a tapering portion receivableainsaid recess of an adjacent body and having an annular shoulder engageable with said first mentioned shoulder of the adjacent body.

5. A movable track riding curtain hanger comprising a body adapted to be attached to and suspend a portion of a curtain, roller means attached to said body and adapted to engage and ride along a track to movably support said body and curtain, and positioning means on said body adapted to move into and out of interfitting relation with similar positioning means on a pair of adjacent similarly shaped bodies when a series of said bodies and roller means are supported by said track, said positioning means of adjacent bodies when in said interfitting relation acting to maintain said adjacent bodies essentially in predetermined relative positions, said positioning means including means forming a recess on said body facing longitudinally of the track, and including an element carried by the body positioned for movement into and out of said recess of an adjacent body and engageable both upwardly and downwardly against walls of said recess to maintain said bodies against swinging movement about the axes of their roller means.

6. A movable track riding curtain hanger comprising a body adapted to be attached to and suspend a portion of a curtain, roller means attached to said body and adapted to engage and ride along a track to movably support said body and curtain, a cushion formed of softer material than said body and carried by the body at a location to laterally engage a guide element extending parallel to the track and thereby limit lateral movement of the body relative to the track, and positioning means on said body adapted to move into and out of interfitting relation with similar positioning means on a pair of adjacent similarly shaped bodies when a series of said bodies and roller means are supported by said track, said positioning means of adjacent bodies when in said interfitting relation acting to maintain the bodies against swinging movement about the axes of their roller means, said positioning means including means forming a recess on said body facing longitudinally of the track, and including an element carried by the body positioned for movement into and out of said recess of an adjacent body and engageable both upwardly and downwardly against walls of said recess to maintain said bodies against swinging movement about the axes of their roller means.

7. Curtain supporting apparatus comprising a track, a series of hangers each including rollers riding in said track and a body carried by the rollers and adapted for attachment to a portion of a curtain, and positioning means on said bodies movable into and out of interfitting engagement by relative movement of said units together and apart, said positioning means acting when in said interfitting engagement to maintain said bodies of adjacent units essentially in predetermined relative positions, said positioning means including means forming a recess on each of said bodies facing longitudinally of the track, and including an interfitting element on each of said bodies positioned for movement into and out of said recess of an adjacent body and engageable both upwardly and downwardly against walls of said recess to maintain said bodies against swinging movement about the axes of their roller means.

8. A movable track riding curtain hanger comprising a body adapted to be attached to and suspend a portion of a curtain, roller means attached to said body and adapted to engage and ride along a track to movably support said body and curtain, and positioning means on said body adapted to move into and out of interiitting relation with similar positioning means on a pair of adjacent similarly shaped bodies when a series of said bodies and roller means are supported by said track, said positioning means of adjacent bodies when in. said interfitting relation acting to maintain said adjacent bodies essentially in predetermined relative positions, said positioning means presenting a wedge surface acting to relatively deflect a pair of said bodies toward said predetermined relative positions as the two bodies are moved relatively together along the track.

9. A movable track riding curtain hanger comprising a body adapted to be attached to and suspend a portion of a curtain, roller means attached to said body and adapted to engage and ride along a track to movably support said body and curtain, and positioning means on said body adapted to move into and out of interfitting relation with similar positioning means on a pair of adjacent similarly shaped bodies when a series of said bodies and roller means are supported by said track, said positioning means of adjacent bodies when in said interfitting relation acting to maintain said adjacent bodies essentially in predetermined relative positions, .said positioning means including means forming a recess and a tapering projection on said body facing in opposite directions longitudinally of said track, said projection of said body being positioned for reception in said recess of an adjacent body as the bodies are moved relatively together.

10. A movable track riding curtain hanger comprising a body adapted to be attached to and suspend a portion of a curtain, roller means attached to said body and adapted to engage and ride along a track to movably support said body and curtain, and positioning means on said body adapted to move into and out of interfitting relation with similar positioning means on a pair of adjacent similarly shaped bodies when a series of said bodies and roller means are supported by said track, said positioning means of adjacent bodies when in said interfitting relation acting to maintain said adjacent bodies essentially in predetermined relative positions, said positioning means including means forming a recess at one end of the body facing in one direction longitudinally of said track, and a resilient cushion facing in the opposite direction from the body and having a tapering portion receivable in said recess of an adjacent body, said cushion forming a transverse shoulder about said tapering portion thereof, and said body forming a shoulder about said recess engageable with said shoulder on the cushion carried by an adjacent body.

References Cited in the file of this: patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 934,475 Taussig Sept. 21, 1909 1,460,335 Glavin June 26, 1923 1,649,215 Brown Nov. 15, 1927 1,855,037 Vroom Apr. 19, 1932 2,231,305 Vallen Feb. 11, 1941 

